Oregonjoneses

Thanks Charles if feels good to be back Have invited Jack Loe to join us. I leqrned yesterday that he is friends with Steve Fountaine's sister Linda

You arte right, My partner had a long chat with her dad last weekend and we will post about the conversation this week

The Signal is Strong: Pro Softball Arrives in Oregon!Now that I’ve settled into the FishDuck forums, I have to talk about the massive shift in the softball landscape. For those of us who have spent years watching the Ducks, the "professional ceiling" always felt a little far away. Not anymore. The Big News: The Portland CascadeAs some of you may have seen, the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) officially announced the Portland Cascade as Oregon's newest professional team! They’ll be playing their home games right up at Hillsboro Ballpark starting this June. For a guy like me who spent years at the OSP dispatch center, I love seeing a local "unit" finally get a home base. No more touring models—we have a team to call our own. The Duck Connection: Paige Sinicki Goes ProThe best part? Our very own Paige Sinicki has officially landed a spot on the Cascade roster! Watching her win the Gold Glove at Oregon was a treat, and seeing her stay in-state to play professionally is a huge win for the program. She’s joined by former UW star Sis Bates, so the middle of that infield is going to be a defensive masterclass. It’s a great example of the "Oregon-to-Pro" pipeline that Coach Lombardi is building. Tracking "Version Eight" (2026 Season)Back in Eugene, Coach Lombardi is in her 8th season, and the data on this squad is fascinating. She’s calling this group "Version Eight," and from my vantage point in the Arizona desert, the hardware looks solid: The Rotation: We returned nearly the entire staff from last year’s WCWS run. Lyndsey Grein and Elise Sokolsky are our veteran "operators." They have the experience to handle the high-stress calls. The Sophomore Class: I’m keeping a close eye on the "Young Guns"—Rylee McCoy, Kaylynn Jones, and Stefani Ma'ake. They were massive as freshmen, and if they avoid the "sophomore slump" bug, this lineup will be lethal. The New Shortstop: With Sinicki moving on to the pros, I’m watching Addison Amaral (the Notre Dame transfer) very closely. Filling Sinicki’s shoes is a tall order, but Amaral has the range to make it happen. The Big Ten schedule is going to be a gauntlet, but the "fancies" (stats) suggest this team is built for a deep June run. I’ll be monitoring the box scores and sharing my analysis as the season heats up. Go Ducks!

Version Eight: My Thoughts on Coach Lombardi’s 8th SeasonNow that I’ve introduced myself, I want to dive into what I’m seeing on the diamond. As I mentioned, I’m a bit of a geek for the data, and Coach Melyssa Lombardi’s 8th season is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing "builds" we’ve seen in Eugene. Last year’s "Version Seven" was a breakthrough, taking us back to the Women’s College World Series and proving we could compete at the highest level in the Big Ten. But as Lombardi says, every year is a "start from scratch" project. The "Frequencies" I’m Monitoring:The Power in the Circle: We returned nearly our entire pitching staff from last year’s WCWS run. Having Lyndsey Grein and Elise Sokolsky back is like having two veteran dispatchers on the desk—they know how to handle the pressure. Grein is a workhorse, and I’m watching to see if our bullpen depth can help keep her fresh for June. The Sophomore Surge: I’ve been crunching the numbers on our "Young Guns"—Rylee McCoy, Kaylynn Jones, and Stefani Ma'ake. They were massive as freshmen, but the "sophomore slump" is a real bug in the system. So far, McCoy’s power at first base looks like it’s only getting better. The New Connections: Replacing the speed of the Luschar sisters and the glove of Paige Sinicki at short was a tall order. I’m keeping a close eye on the transfers, specifically Addison Amaral (Notre Dame) at shortstop. She’s got big shoes to fill, but the data from her time in South Bend suggests she’s up to the task. Elise Sokolsky Early Season Sit-RepWe’ve had an up-and-down start with some tough losses in the early tournaments (that game against Auburn was a glitch in the system!), but we’ve also knocked off some top-25 teams like Duke and Liberty. To me, that shows the "Version Eight" hardware is capable; we just need to optimize the software before conference play heats up. I’ll be posting regular updates as we move toward the home opener at Jane Sanders Stadium. I’d love to hear from any of you who are attending games in person—give me the "eye test" to go along with my stats! Go Ducks!

From the OSP Dispatch Desk to the Sonora Desert: A Duck Fan’s LogHello FishDuck community! oregonjoneses checking in from the heat of Florence, Arizona. At 76 years young, I’m a bit of a desert-dwelling geek. After 25 years in Oregon—including 12 years working the consoles at the Oregon State Police Dispatch Center—I’ve traded the rainy Willamette Valley for the cacti of the Sonora. While my professional life was spent navigating the frequencies and logistics of the OSP, my heart remains firmly in Eugene. The Origin StoryMy "fandom firmware" was first installed back in the 7th grade at Waldo Junior High in Salem. My basketball coach, Mr. Dickey, hard-wired my loyalty by organizing a three-day trek to Mac Court for the Oregon High School Championships. Seeing that magic on the sunken floors as a kid changed my life. Since then, my wife and I made it an annual tradition to attend the Spring Football games. We would always make a weekend of it, staying up at Belknap Hot Springs to soak and enjoy the river before heading into Autzen. Those are memories I carry with me even in the Arizona heat. Current Project: Softball Stats & InsightsWhile I love my Football and Baseball (I’m a regular at PK Park when I can get there), my primary focus right now is on the diamond. We are heading into Coach Lombardi’s 8th season leading the Women’s Softball team. Just like my days at the dispatch center, I like to keep a close eye on all the moving parts. I’m currently processing the data and getting ready to share regular updates and information on the squad. I truly believe this 8th season is going to be something special. I may be living in the desert now, but my blood still runs green and yellow. I’m looking forward to connecting with you all! Go Ducks!